CISTUS LADANIFER RECRUITMENT - NOT ONLY FIRE, BUT ALSO DEER

The reproductive ecology of gum cistus (Cistus ladanifer) is usually l inked to fire, although its seed dispersal by deer can play an importa nt role in the colonizing ability of the species, and may be related t o its seed dormancy. The seed content of deer pellets is analysed in s easonal terms, along with the germination of seeds produced by the pla nt and those dispersed in excrement. Deer disperse over 250,000 seeds per individual between February and August, mostly in summer (around 8 ,000 seeds individual(-1) day(-1)), in which there is a larger proport ion of rapidly germinable seeds than in those gathered from the plant (46% vs. 30%). These results complement the traditional view of the sp ecies reproduction, especially with respect to patterns before the fre quency of fires increased due to human activity.